The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

Success in Richmond Park

Sarah Olney with Nick Clegg and Caroline Pidgeon

The Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney won the by election in Richmond Park on 1 December.

The campaign focussed on Brexit and Sarah promised that she will vote against the triggering of Article 50 if elected. Tim Farron had already said that we would fight any snap election on a commitment to reverse Brexit, and Sarah's election has the potential to focus concerns around Brexit.

Coming on the back of a sustained series of victories in council by-elections, this result, overturning a majority of 23,000, is a clear indication that the Liberal Democrats are bouncing back.

Click here to join the Liberal Democrats and help us put the case for a Britain that is open, tolerant and united - and fully-committed to remaining in the EU.

Protesting at Hockerill Crossroads

Hertford and Stortford LibDems at Hockerill Junction

Hertford and Stortford Liberal Democrat members have been tirelessly protesting and petitioning local residents t get the East Herts district council to take ACTION about the appalling levels of pollution at Hockerill Crossroads. This dangerous blackspot was identified as long ago as 2009 by the Conservative-controlled council and was therefore designated as an AQMA (Air Quality Management Area). Nine years on, Nitrogen Dioxide levels in the area were shown to be almost double what is legally allowed.

We are calling on the council to urgently do something to change this unacceptable risk to local residents' health and well-being. You can sign our petition here.

To read more about our ideas about how to improve the situation, click here.

Recent updates from the Liberal Democrats

Last week Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney sent a strong message to Government when she overturned Zac Goldsmith's 23,000 majority to become the new MP for Richmond Park in London. On Monday 5th December she was sworn into the House of Commons and met up with Liberal Democrat MPs, Peers and supporters from across the country.

This will be a chance to learn about door-knocking and some of the tools the party has to help with this, and get some experience. It's planned for those who are new to campaigning, and those who are not familiar with the use of miniVAN, though more seasoned campaigners are very welcome as well.

It will take place over the morning and afternoon, so that there is a chance to share experiences over lunch and also at the end of the day.

At his first press conference in his capacity as Chief Negotiator for the European Commission in the Brexit negotiations, Michel Barnier suggested on Tuesday 6 December that the negotiations, if activated by the UK government by end March 2017, would have to be concluded by October 2018. This would then allow sufficient time to allow for full ratification by the EU's member states, the European Parliament and the UK Parliament within the 2 year time frame prescribed under article 50. Although the October 2018 deadline is merely advisory and falls within the 2 year period, it clearly indicates what procedures and processes need to take place once an agreement is reached.

Come along for pre-Christmas mulled wine and mince pies with fellow LibDems at the home of Sara Mihaljlovic.

The event is free, though donations to party funds are always welcome. To give an idea of numbers, please email Mark Argent (mark.argent@hertfordandstortfordlibdems.org.uk) if you would like to come -- though we'll cater for a few more people than we know about in case people forget to email.

Sarah Olney's victory in the Richmond Park by election overturned Zac Goldsmith's 23,000 majority from the 2015 General Election. It has very clearly put the Liberal Democrats on the map as the UK-wide party which is committed to supporting the UK's place in the EU.

The by-election was triggered by the announcement of plans to create a third runway at Heathrow. Zac Goldsmith had promised in the last two general elections that he would resign his seat and stand as an independent to oppose Heathrow expansion. Liberal Democrats also oppose Heathrow expansion, and so this became a vote on Brexit - Goldsmith had voted to leave the EU and Sarah Olney promised to vote against the triggering of article 50 if elected.

"Let me start by thanking the other candidates for a hard-fought campaign - and to Zac Goldsmith in particular, I wish you well and assure you that I will continue your fight against the expansion of Heathrow.

Open means open-hearted, open-minded, forward-looking, mod­ern, green, internationalist and pro-European. We believe Britain is at its best when it is creative, innovative and outward-looking, comfortable in the fast-changing modern world and open to the opportunities and challenges of globalisation and the digital revolution.

Tolerant means diverse, com­passionate and generous. We will always fight injustice and stand up for the underdog, the outsider, the individual, the minority and the vulnerable against the powerful.

United means we will always put the interests of the whole United Kingdom first. We reject the divisions in society, whether between young and old, urban and rural, leave and remain, or between regions and nations. We believe we are stronger - as communities, as a country and as a world - when we work together in our common interest.